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This follows on from the post Lack of Minor Works Certificate with DIY’ers? but from the other angle. Can we produce a lets call it a check list which if followed will result in DIY’ers doing most of the tests and inspections done by electricians with full test sets?
I am looking at the old red book BS7671:2008 Part 1 simple although of course departures may be hard for DIY guy to know about so miss out number 4.
Part 2 no reason to have anything more than TN or TT as the EZ150 can’t show if 0.35 or 0.8 ohm incomer.
Method of fault protection can be left out as we all enter EEBADS or ADS
So just protective device for modified circuit. Type and Rating.
So in essence just Part 3 essential tests.
Insulation resistance is a problem as one needs at least 250 volt and normally 500 volt to test with. However using the highest ohm range of a multi-meter is better than nothing.
The earth fault loop impedance would need to be better 1.7Ω (TN) or 200Ω (TT) as that is the limit of EZ150 tester.
Polarity is shown by plug in tester.
RCD only real test is to push button and see if it trips.
However the minor works certificate seems to have missed out many tests. I would always test all three wires in a ring final to show continuity. I would also test to find out is it a radial, ring or spur and with the latter is there a fuse. I would also test wires to see what size. 1/0.044, 1/0.064, 3/0.029, 3/0.036, 7/0.029, 7/0.036, 7/0.044 or with metric 1.5, 2.5, 4, or 6 mm².
As to if any DIY person can work out sizes I don’t know. But unless they can, then hard to identify faults.
So can we produce a check list instead of a MWC so the DIY person can in the main ensure the work they do is reasonably safe?
I am looking at the old red book BS7671:2008 Part 1 simple although of course departures may be hard for DIY guy to know about so miss out number 4.
Part 2 no reason to have anything more than TN or TT as the EZ150 can’t show if 0.35 or 0.8 ohm incomer.
Method of fault protection can be left out as we all enter EEBADS or ADS
So just protective device for modified circuit. Type and Rating.
So in essence just Part 3 essential tests.
Insulation resistance is a problem as one needs at least 250 volt and normally 500 volt to test with. However using the highest ohm range of a multi-meter is better than nothing.
The earth fault loop impedance would need to be better 1.7Ω (TN) or 200Ω (TT) as that is the limit of EZ150 tester.
Polarity is shown by plug in tester.
RCD only real test is to push button and see if it trips.
However the minor works certificate seems to have missed out many tests. I would always test all three wires in a ring final to show continuity. I would also test to find out is it a radial, ring or spur and with the latter is there a fuse. I would also test wires to see what size. 1/0.044, 1/0.064, 3/0.029, 3/0.036, 7/0.029, 7/0.036, 7/0.044 or with metric 1.5, 2.5, 4, or 6 mm².
As to if any DIY person can work out sizes I don’t know. But unless they can, then hard to identify faults.
So can we produce a check list instead of a MWC so the DIY person can in the main ensure the work they do is reasonably safe?